Debunking myths... Fuel filters, do you really need to change them?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DogWatch
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Dealing with a 35KVA Lister generator on land. Problems were down to the filter, about 4yrs old. Just blocked up, and it was a CAV cartridge type. Problems were from cra++y iron supply lines and condensation. Just gasping for fuel.
a
 
SWMBOs Freelander started playing up, loss of power, then the engine check light came on and into limp home mode.
Changed fuel filter and back to full power again. It had only 15,000km on the clock. Bad fuel picked up in Baku.
 
Hi, I always change filters every year,and drain the racor frequently. I once had a diesel Astra stop with a totaly blocked fuel filter. I cut it open and it was solid! Had a touch of diesel bug last year and the Starbrite biocide seems to have fixed it.
 
mikehibb said:
SWMBOs Freelander started playing up, loss of power, then the engine check light came on and into limp home mode.
Changed fuel filter and back to full power again. It had only 15,000km on the clock. Bad fuel picked up in Baku.
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Because of some bad fuel in Azerbaijan, we will have thousands of boat-owners making unnecessary filter changes.

Must buy some share in Fram, Racor CAV etc
 
I think the bottom line on "when to change your filters"...depends on:

1. Where you buy your fuel.

2. What the overall ambient temperatures are where you are, eg; I'm in Florida, so the average temperature is much higher than say the UK... or Norway.

3. Type of filter arrangement: I have a pair of Racor 75/1000's with switching capability while underway with vacuum guage.... I tend to use 2 micron filters all around....to include the on engine filter which I also use 2 microns.

Some may say I am a bit overboard there...but given that some fuel nowadays is not the cleanest...I prefer to find out faster than slower,,,:)
 
Clean fuel is vital for a diesel.
Clogged filters certainly seems to be a very common cause of problems. Changing the filters seems cheap insurance to me.
On my boat I have installed large filters that can be swapped while running vacume gages, a and fuel polishing system. Its also worth filtering the fuel before it goes in the tank and using a biocide
 
I had been wondering from what I've read here and in books that I should install a second primary filter, but surely the ideal would be to have a second secondary filter (rather than primary) because it would get fine as well as not so fine dirt?
 
DogWatch said:
Not just boats here, but has a fuel filter that is not clogged with fuel bug ever fixed an engine that is dead to the world.

When I have changed fuel filters the old one always looks brand new coming out. What is the point!?

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It's a fair question, and my experience is like yours - where is the gunge this filter is supposed to protect my engine from? But for £8 a year I have the satisfaction of lifting the chances I will have no fuel probs at sea - so I change the filter.

Look on it this way - it's insurance you don't want to claim on....and a premium I don't mind paying.

Besides, I love my engine, don't you?

PWG
 
Believe it or not this boat would still idle for about 30-45 seconds then die..

105819198.jpg
 
PeterGibbs said:
It's a fair question, and my experience is like yours - where is the gunge this filter is supposed to protect my engine from? But for £8 a year I have the satisfaction of lifting the chances I will have no fuel probs at sea - so I change the filter.

Look on it this way - it's insurance you don't want to claim on....and a premium I don't mind paying.

Besides, I love my engine, don't you?

PWG
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There seems to be an assumption on the thread that not changing the filter is akin to removing it completely. If I don't change it, it is still there, still filtering the fuel, still preventing grit and other nasties heading toward the engine.

Do you see what I mean here? If I change the filter annually is it really going to make a difference?
 
Maine Sail said:
Believe it or not this boat would still idle for about 30-45 seconds then die..

105819198.jpg
Click to expand...

Impressive, but to explain my thoughts here, your filter there is obviously blocked, what I am suggesting is changing a clean looking filter on spec, does it really make any difference, really?
 
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